Family and enjoying the outdoors are two very important pillars in Patrick Underwood’s life. Born into a large family, he grew up traveling all across the country to visit family members. He enjoyed being outdoors more so than indoors and has continued that tradition on to his children.

Nieves Leon knows what it is like to be a stranger in a foreign country, unable to communicate with others. Twenty-five years ago when she and her husband and daughter moved to Carrollton from Spain, she did not know a single word of English.

Now, after years of additional education and practice, she uses her experience and knowledge to pay it forward.

Nieves is the daughter of Felix Leon and Nieves Rodriguez and is from Ponferrada in northern Spain. Her father worked as a train conductor, while her mother stayed at home with the six children.

Well, my friends, here we are. Right here, once again in the middle of the holiday season. Thanksgiving is barely out of sight and Christmas is fast approaching. It’s hard to imagine that 2015 is almost in the rear-view mirror. But, alas, we must move on and, frankly, a delicious time is quickly approaching.

Carroll County High School senior running back Cameron Rose is all of these things. Carrying the ball just 120 times during the regular season, he amassed 821 rushing yards. He added 148 receiving yards and scored eight total touchdowns (six rushing, two receiving). He also played on both sides of the ball, leading the Panthers in tackles with 73 (62 solo, 11 assisted).

A call that Tanya Supple of Carrollton nearly hung up on Saturday night because she thought it was a telemarketer turned out to be one telling her she had won a home in Norton Commons valued at almost a half-million dollars.

In a Tuesday interview, Supplee said she bought one ticket during a telethon on WAVE3-TV, after her mother offered several times to go in on one with her. She said this was unusual because her mother isn’t one to gamble or buy tickets on raffles.

Sports are an important part of small town life in places like Carroll County. Not only do sports teach student-athletes values like discipline, hard work, responsibility and teamwork, they also can instill community pride.

One important piece of the game that may sometimes be overlooked is the announcer. Watch a ball game in complete silence, and it’s just not the same. Announcers bring energy and excitement to the environment, and the athletes–and their families–love to heartheir name called out over the loud speaker.

For some people, jumping out of an airplane is at the top of their bucket list. For others, it couldn’t be any further from the top.

But for Bob McBurney, it was something he was trained to do.

Robert C. “Bob” McBurney of Carrollton served from 1944-1946 in the United States Army as a paratrooper. He was a member of the 13th Airborne Division, 515th Parachute Infantry Regiment in World War II.

Hello once again, my friends. Here we are, staring at Halloween and cooler weather is upon us. And frankly, it doesn’t bother me one bit. I love hearty foods and nothing says hearty like cold weather. Oh, and I also make sure to write a chili article at the beginning of every year, just so everyone can get in the mood before cold weather hits.

It takes a special kind of dog–and person–to become a member of the Kentucky State Police Special Operations K-9 Unit.

Trooper First Class Ryan Gosser has been with the unit since 2008 and a trooper since 2001. He currently works with two dogs: Grizz, a German Shepherd who is about five years old, and Bear, a black Labrador Retriever who is about six years old. He has had Grizz for between three and four years and Bear for about two years.

Being an interpreter is more than just being able to speak multiple languages. It takes accuracy, precision and focus to do the job.

Magali McCarty is Carroll County’s only certified Spanish interpreter through the Administrative Office of the Courts and the only AOC-certified Portuguese interpreter in the state of Kentucky, earning her certifications in 2004.

Walk inside New Image beauty shop in downtown Carrollton, and you will likely be greeted by the hum of at least one of the six driers, the chatter of mostly women in the worn leather chairs and the infectious laugh of hairdresser Nana Adams.

If you’re not a regular, you will likely be asked to wait, as Nana and fellow hairdresser Chuck Gordon are virtually booked up with their loyal customers, who Nana refers to as her family. She has worked at New Image since 1986 and has owned the shop since 1990.

Farming has always been a part of Ernest Doll’s life – from a child growing up during the Great Depression until he retired from farming in the early 1990’s. Doll and his family have grown tobacco, hay, corn and raised cattle over the years.

Ernest will be celebrating his 101st birthday Feb. 11. He was born on the farm where his family lived in Henry County near Port Royal.

There is a new face on the sidelines of Carroll County High School athletic events, but this one wants to stay in the background as much as possible. If he is out on the field, then something has happened to one of the student-athletes.

Carroll County contracted with Baptist Health La Grange for athletic training services, joining Henry County, North Oldham, South Oldham, and Oldham County high schools. This is a growing trend for Kentucky high schools to have their own athletic trainer.

Carrollton native Raymond Meadows wants the community to know that the American Legion Post 41 is more than just a bar: it’s an active organization with mostly Carroll County members that supports the community and all veterans who need assistance.

“There are a lot of things we do down here that the public don’t know, really what the Legion is all about,” Meadows said.

Legion Commander for nine years, Meadows said it is a bigger job than people may think.